BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
November 26, 2007
District Office
The
minutes are unofficial pending Board of Education approval.
Members
Present
Linda
Competillo, Michael Lockwood, Bob Miller, Chris Montreuil, Jeanne Petrella, Martha
Smith,
and
Miriam Zubal
Also
Present
Jennifer
Dove, Connie Miller Filzen, Eric Hartz, Tim Heller, Brenda Myers, Michelle
Pronti,
David
Remick, Sheri Shurtleff, and Randy Sovocool
Present in the Audience
Sarah
Giroux, Donna Pinkowski, Matt Cooper
Call
to Order
Miriam
Zubal called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
There was a quorum check, assurance of meeting posting and recitation of
the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval
of Agenda
A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the agenda with the following changes:
Add 6.A.2. Natural Gas Lease Update
Ad 8.G. Amend Tax Warrant
Approval
of Minutes
A
motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Martha Smith, and carried – 7
ayes, to approve the minutes from the November 13, 2007, Board of Education
meeting with the correction of the spelling of Timms to Timbs.
Summary
of Executive Session
Dr. Brenda Myers reported that at the November 13,
2007, Executive Session, the following topics were discussed:
1. CSE/CPSE Recommendations
2. Legal Matter
3. Superintendent’s Evaluation
Open
Forum with Community and/or Staff
Donna Pinkowski shared information on the
exhibition, “Our Body Within” and also gave the Board information on a program
called “Gone Forever” which she encouraged the school to present to students.
Presentations
1. Enrollment Presentation – Dr. Brenda Myers
and Sarah Giroux
- Did PowerPoint on Groton
Central Schools Enrollment Project Report prepared by Sarah Giroux and
Felicia DeLeone, Cornell University Ph.D. students
- report included: demographics, enrollment history, grade
progression ratios, enrollment projection methods, area birth rates
- discussed class size, retention, inclusion, facility project
- full report on file with the District Clerk
- Ms. Giroux and Ms. DeLeone donated their time to research this
project and will help with research on how student extracurricular involvement
impacts student achievement
- Dr. Myers and Board of Education thanked Ms. Giroux for all her
time and work
2. Annual Fire Inspection – Randy
Sovocool
- went very well – all teachers and staff helped get buildings
ready
- three minor infractions – all corrected
- passed with flying colors
- all necessary paperwork has been submitted
3. 5-Year Facility Plan – Randy
Sovocool
- is a working document
- Charlie Rumsey, retired Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds,
started the plan originally
- William Taylor Architect did the 5-Year Building Condition Survey
in 2005 (survey mandated by NYS) and used this to help build the 5-Year
Facility Plan
- items in the Plan are color-coded to show current facility
project items, future projects, etc.
- furniture is not an aidable item in any building project
- 5-Year Facility Plan will help with 2008-09 budget planning
- items that do not have a cost attached will be researched when/if
item is needed
- Board of Education thanked Randy for his work
4. Middle School Shared
Decision-Making Plan and Team - Connie
Miller Filzen
- gave handout
- each year the team reviews the Safety Plan, School Report Card,
test scores and data, Student Handbook and Code of Conduct
- now looking at the “7000” policies
- concert schedule change – each school has their own concert night
Staff
and/or Board Committee Reports
Dr. Brenda Myers, Superintendent:
1. Review Policy and Procedures 7516 – Head Lice
and Nits
- trying to create a graduated response
- this is a health issue
- trying to keep students in school and help
parents
- if approved by the Board, a letter will go
home with students tomorrow
2. Natural
Gas Lease Update
- Gordon Thompson from Coughlin and Gerhart is
working on this
- as long as the lease is not more than five
years, no vote is needed
- GCS does not have to use product
- checking on where drilling would take place
- still in negotiations
Sheri Shurtleff, Business Manager:
1. Gary
Alger, Internal Auditor – will focus on extra-curricular accounts, which were
moved to the
Business
Office
2. 2008-09
Budget Process
- working on 2008-09 Budget Calendar
- Leadership Team taking a more active role in
budget process and documentation
- rate of increase for benefits is slowing down
- preliminary Teacher Retirement System rates
have slowed down
Eric Hartz, High School Principal:
- Will
check into officers of extracurricular clubs
- “Gone
Forever” program will be coming to the school
Connie Miller Filzen, Middle School
Principal:
- Jeanne
Petrella said that Gabe Petrella’s name was left off the Scholar Athlete list –
the list will be
corrected
Tim Heller, Elementary School Principal:
- he
and Ms. Filzen have been in contact with family who had fire
- family is split up, staying with other
families
- outer wear has been donated for the whole
family
- donations are coming in, Brittany Station is a
drop-off spot
- will be doing a fundraiser – possibly
spaghetti dinner
Board
President’s Report – Miriam Zubal
1. Conversation – School Events
- Boys Basketball Tournament – Ethan Tilebein MVP and Kyle Reed
All Tournament Team
- Michael Lockwood noted that he attempted to play basketball at
the Staff Basketball Game
2. First reading of Policy 5321 – District
Credit Cards
3. Miriam complimented the Board on the great
job they do
4. Dr. Myers noted that the staff appreciated
the cider and donuts from the Board celebrating
School-Related Professional’s Day
Approval
of Substitutes
A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded
by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the following
substitutes:
1. Lauren Croce, Uncertified Teacher (I)
2. Kristina Maricle, Uncertified Teacher (J)
3. Matt Rode, Uncertified Teacher (K)
4.
5. Mary Ann Smith, Teacher Aide
Approval of
Extended Assignment Substitute Revision
A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the revisions to Extended Assignment Substitute as follows:
1. In many cases, a teacher does not know how long he/she will be out and some medical treatments are once a week for several months.
A. pre-arranged and intermittent, same assignment
B. accrued or consecutive/prearranged, same assignment
2. If a daily assignment becomes an extended assignment, the pay will be back-dated.
Adoption
of Policy 7516 – Head Lice and Nits
A motion was made by Bob Miller, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to adopt Policy 7516 – Head Lice and Nits.
Second
A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Martha Smith, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the second reading of the following policies:
1. 5220 - District Investments
2. 5230 - Donations
3. 5240 - School Tax Assessment and Collection
4. 5241 - Property Tax Exemptions
5. 5250
-
6. 5310 - Bonding of Employees and School Board Members
7. 5320
- Expenditures of
8. 5322 - District Cell Phones
9. 5323 - Travel Expense Reimbursement
10. 5324 - Meal Expenses Incurred During District Meetings
11. 5330
- Budget Transfers
Approval
of Superintendent’s Contract
A motion was made by Bob Miller, seconded by Martha Smith, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the Superintendent’s Contract from December 12, 2007 to December 11, 2012
Appointment – 2007-08 Modified Girls
Basketball Coach
A motion was made Michael Lockwood, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to appoint Jen Aarne as the 2007-08 Modified Girls’ Basketball Coach.
Amend 2007-08 Tax Warrant
A motion was made by Michael Lockwood, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to amend the 2007-08 Tax Warrant by - $789.21 due to a reduction in Verizon assessment.
Calendar
Announcements
The Board reviewed the calendar announcements. Breakfast with Santa will be Saturday,
December 8.
Meeting
Summary
- data,
enrollment, class size information
- lice
policy
- Fire
Inspection
- 5-Year
Plan
- new policies in place
- approved
substitutes
- approved
Superintendent’s contract
Executive Session – 7:55 p.m.
A
motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried –
7 ayes, to go into Executive Session to discuss:
1. CSE/CPSE Recommendations
Board Members Present in Executive Session
Linda Competillo, Michael Lockwood, Bob Miller, Chris Montreuil, Jeanne Petrella, Martha Smith, and Miriam Zubal
Also Present
Michelle Pronti (left at 8:12 p.m.) and Brenda Myers
Reconvene Meeting – 8:15 p.m.
A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to reconvene to regular session.
Acceptance of CSE/CPSE Recommendations
A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the CSE/CPSE recommendations as presented.
Adjournment – 8:18 p.m.
On a motion made by Michael Lockwood, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Walker
District Clerk